Accident Boeing 707-321C G-BEBP,

ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 329129

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Date:	Saturday 14 May 1977
Time:	09:33
Type:	Boeing 707-321C
Owner/operator:	IAS Cargo
Registration:	G-BEBP
MSN:	18579/332
Year of manufacture:	1963
Total airframe hrs:	47621 hours
Cycles:	16723 flights
Engine model:	Pratt & Whitney JT3D-3B
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed, written off
Category:	Accident
Location:	3,7 km W of Lusaka Airport (LUN) - Zambia
Phase:	Approach
Nature:	Cargo
Departure airport:	Nairobi International Airport (NBO/HKNA)
Destination airport:	Lusaka Airport (LUN/FLLS)
Investigating agency:	AIB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The aircraft departed Nairobi (NBO) at 07:17 for the final leg of a London-Heathrow - Athens - Nairobi - Lusaka cargo flight. Boeing 707 G-BEBP proceeded to Lusaka at FL310. At 09:07 the flight was cleared to descend to FL110. This altitude was reached at 09:23, 37nm DME from Lusaka. A clearance was then given to descend further down to FL70 in 1000 feet steps. At 09:28 the co-pilot reported that the airfield was in sight. Lusaka then cleared the aircraft to descend to 6000 feet (2221 feet above runway elevation) and moments later a clearance was given to make a visual approach for runway 10. At 09:32 flaps were selected to 50 degrees. Suddenly, at 09:33, the complete right-hand horizontal stabilizer and elevator assembly were seen to separate in flight. The aircraft pitched rapidly nose down and dived vertically into the ground from a height of about 800 feet. The main wreckage was located 3660 m from the runway threshold.

CAUSE: "The accident was caused by a loss of pitch control following the in-flight separation of the right hand horizontal stabilizer and elevator as a result of a combination of metal fatigue and inadequate failsafe design in the rear spar structure. Shortcomings in design assessment, certification and inspection procedures were contributory factors.

Accident investigation: